James “Jim” Wurm, age 84, of Maple Lake, died Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Park View Care Center, Buffalo surrounded by his family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Maple Lake with Fr. Kevin Magner as the Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery on Co. Rd. 37, Maple Lake. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Monday and 9-10 a.m. on Tuesday, both at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Maple Lake. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
James Martin Wurm was born on July 11, 1940, on the family farm in Corinna Township, rural Maple Lake, to Martin and Hazel (McAlpine) Wurm. Jim attended Maple Lake Schools. He honorably served his country in the US Army during the Vietnam War. On June 3, 1967, Jim was united in marriage to Marlene Ann Blizil at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Maple Lake. They made their home on the family farm, where they raised their five sons.
Jim dedicated his life to the land he loved, a place he called home for his entire life. Jim’s love for the land was reflected in the way he admired crops, continuously tending to them with a farmer’s unwavering dedication. He spent his days tending to his land, dairy cows, cattle, and horses. In addition to farming, he also worked at Maple Lake Lumber for a number of years.
Jim’s family was his pride and joy, and he enjoyed sharing life’s simple pleasures with them. A man of simple tastes and great joys, Jim had a fondness for Spam and sweets and found delight in time at the camper on Mille Lacs. He relished moments spent playing cards, watching Young and the Restless, and cheering on his favorite high school and WWF wrestling matches. He liked playing bean bags and horseshoes, and he loved the thrill of four-wheeling, snowmobiling, and riding horse across the Minnesota landscapes. He found joy in giving rides to his beloved grandchildren on the Gator.
He is survived by his wife Marlene, of Maple Lake; sons, Loren (Janet) of Maple Lake, Lloyd (Jill) of Hudson, WI, Lenny (Keri) of Maple Lake, LeRoy (Michelle) of Buffalo, and Lance (Emily) of Silver Lake; grandchildren, Colin, Caroline, Cassie (Sidney) Laurvick, Lindsey (Ryan) Duerwachter, Charlee, Molly, Andrew, Jordan, Morgan (Treyton) Welch, Raegan, Kylin, Kayzley, Oaklynn, and Loxley; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Annika, and Grace Laurvick; sisters, Eloise Smith of Litchfield and Arlene Jude of Clearwater; sister-in-law, Ann Cruikshank of Maple Lake; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his siblings, Agnes Piram, Grace Rasset, Tom Wurm, Tim Wurm, Sister Betty Wurm, Mary Jandro, Roy Wurm, Maxine Schaust, and Hazel Decker; and other family members.
Lance, LeRoy, Lloyd, Lenny, Loren, Todd, Andrew, Colin, and Andrew Wurm will serve as casketbearers. Krista Elsenpeter and Sarah Goelz will provide music for the service. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Service Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com